Life on Queen Street

Playing hurling without a helmet. Particularly if you are a goalkeeper.

While I'm at it - Cúige Chonnach Abu!

Also, I have given up, I'm in Ireland now and it's time I accepted that fact - I'm learning the words to "the Fields of Anthenry", aka "the fucking Fields of Anthenry", aka "NOT the Fields of Fucking Anthenry", aka "that bloody song".

[Eek! One of the Connacht lads, who are essentially the County Galway Hurling side, has broken his ankle. Poor laddie.]

It's ines-fucking-scapable here and people don't understand when you tell them you hate it. It's the unofficial anthem of Irish soccer and rugby and bloody hell, it's like it's fucking haunting me. So rather than rage against the day, I've decided to learn the words. Albeit with the help of the Dropkick Murphys, who I forgive for being Red Sox fans - they're Bostoners and can't be expected to know any better.

Also, everyone who's told me how "The Fields of Anthenry" is a traditional Irish ballad of long-standing can kiss my ass - it was written in 1979.

The lyrics:

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling
"Michael, they have taken you away
For you stole Trevelyan's corn
So the young might see the morn'
Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay"

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry

By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling
"Nothing matters, Mary, when you're free
Against the famine and the Crown
I rebelled, they cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity"

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry

By a lonely harbour wall, she watched the last star falling
As the prison ship sailed out against the sky
For she'll live in hope and pray
For her love in Botany Bay
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry

Low lie the fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
It's so lonely 'round the fields of Athenry

(Pete St. John, 1979)